In summary, the age of the child emerged as a key factor in discussing the nature and
effectiveness of parental disciplinary and control strategies. The extent to which parents can
regulate their children’s activities was highly dependent on their age and developmental stage.
Children considered that parents may have to discipline their younger children more frequently,
given their relative inability to self-regulate their behaviour, when compared with older children
and adolescents. Children considered that distinct strategies may be used more at some stages of
development, but not at other stages. For example, it was suggested that physical punishment may
be more effectively used by parents of younger children, while older children may benefit more
from inductive techniques, which encourage the internalisation of parental values and standards.